Hotel Chocolat Unveils Grand Mimosa Chocolate Selector, Inspired By The Classic Cocktail
Hotel Chocolat has expanded its "Tipsy" collection with the launch of a new Grand Mimosa Chocolate Selector. The new product, a nod to the popular cocktail, features a blend of citrusy orange, real Champagne, and Grand Marnier, encapsulated in a creamy chocolate ganache, with a shell featuring an orange cacao finish. This launch is the latest in a series of new product introductions by Hotel Chocolat, designed to provide consumers with new and adventurous flavor experiences.
Hotel Chocolat Bolsters UK Market Position
Hotel Chocolat is strategically reinforcing its position as a dominant force in the UK's premium chocolate market through a multi-pronged approach of product innovation, retail expansion, and a strong focus on its direct-to-consumer (DTC) channel.
The brand's market position is a story of dual dominance. In the broader premium chocolate market, Hotel Chocolat is among the top players, trailing premium chocolate market leader Lindt. However, Hotel Chocolat's true strength lies in the United Kingdom’s DTC channel, where it holds a dominant position by market share. This strength is a testament to its successful subscription services, its VIP.ME loyalty program, and its online presence. The new Grand Mimosa selector, along with other recent launches, directly supports this DTC model by providing new and exciting products that appeal to its engaged customer base and encourage repeat purchases.
The introduction of the new Grand Mimosa selector fits into a wider pattern of strategic initiatives. The compny recently launched an innovative new Velvetiser, an upgrade to its popular drinking chocolate system that now includes a cold-serving option. This is a significant move to innovate a flagship product and expand its use beyond the winter months. Hotel Chocolat is also actively growing its retail footprint, having recently opened four new stores in York, Skipton, Birmingham, and Durham, with another "concept store" featuring a Velvetiser Café coming to Silverburn. These store openings, particularly those with a café component, serve to showcase products and create an immersive brand experience that drives customer loyalty and complements the online sales channel.
While Hotel Chocolat focuses on these initiatives, its competitors are also actively shaping the market. Lindt, a leading player in the premium segment, is not resting on its laurels. The Swiss chocolatier launched new products like the Lindt Pistachio egg and a new fruit and nut bar in its Les Grandes range. Lindt is also expanding its retail presence, with a new flagship store in London and another site in the Cotswolds Designer Outlet, strengthening its position and reaching more consumers.
Smaller, artisan competitors are also contributing to the vibrant market landscape. The Little House Dorset, for example, is a consistent innovator with the brand launching a number of limited-edition, creative flavors like Dubai Pistachio, Cherry & Marzipan, and Poppy Seed Cheesecake. R&M Fine Chocolate and Jenkins' Emporium have also released their own Dubai-inspired pistachio eggs and bars, respectively, capitalizing on a viral pistachio flavor trend which was the top flavor among UK product launches in 1H 2025. These smaller players, though each holding relatively small market share in the premium segment, are important drivers of innovation and cater to a discerning consumer base looking for unique, handcrafted products.
Other significant market movements from competitors include:
Läderach: The Swiss chocolatier has been expanding its UK retail footprint, recently opening a new chocolaterie in the St. Pancras International station. It is also actively launching new products like the FrischSchoggi Walnut Brownies and the FrischSchoggi Zurich, featuring innovative flavor combinations.
Godiva: The brand has made a "bold comeback" to UK supermarkets with a limited-edition Dubai-style chocolate, exclusively available at Tesco. This move demonstrates a strategy to re-engage with the UK market through a major retail partner and by tapping into a popular flavor trend.